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Finally, you can relax after all the preparation and ocean crossing. When you arrive at a small village it is time to explore inland and perhaps rent a car. Quite a few of Egret’s best Mediterranean experiences were inland travel by rental car, or scooters in the Greek islands the following two seasons. The northwest coast of Majorca was our favorite drive in the Balearics, guaranteed to get your heart pumping a bit. Our favorite coastal villages were Andrix on Majorca, and Mahon in Menorca. After your tour of the Balearics it is time to explore the northeast coast of Spain before your October 1st arrival in Barcelona for the winter. TIP: Barcelona is very popular and difficult to get into, so it’s necessary to apply for a berth at the downtown Marina Port Vell on April 1, when they begin accepting reservations. That’s right—BEFORE you depart to cross the Atlantic. Apply at info@ marinaportvell.com Attn: Ingrid. TIP: October can be great cruising but it also marks the start of winter storms, with little protection to be had on Spain’s northeast coast. Here it is best to travel to your winter berth a little early. Barcelona is a wonderful city with history around every corner. Rental car trips to inland Spain, the Pyrenees or France during the fall when all of the tourists have gone are a treat. You will fall in love with Barcelona, as did all the NAR participants who wintered there.
Timing is everything April 1 is when to haul. Do that at Monty North yard, just west of Marina Port Vell, Barcelona, and make your reservations in the fall. By leaving Barcelona earlier than the cruising guides say, but perfectly doable, and with a weather eye toward the Gulf de Lyon in France, you will arrive Calvi, Corsica with few other cruisers about. Move south along the west coast to Boniffacio, then south to Sardinia cruising the west coast. Algero was our favorite. Be sure and rent a car here for inland touring. Next, travel up the east coast of Sardinia to PortoCervo, crossing to Rome (Porto Turistico, in Ostia) late June, early July. All the way you have missed the crowds. A train trip from Rome to Venice is great fun and your www.nordhavn.com
Nordhavn will be secure in the marina. Now head south to the Italian islands of Ponza, west of Naples, then Ischia, through the Straits of Messina, and on to Sicily. While in Syracuse, be sure to visit their famous open market. Also rent a car, and if you do nothing else at least visit Mount Etna. A one-week inland tour of Sicily would be wonderful. After a short hop from Syracuse to the tip of Sicily, it is a day hop to Malta for a visit and dutyfree fuel. TIP: Contrary to what the guides say, you do not need an agent in Malta. You will save yourself 10 percent-plus. Check into Grand Harbour Marina where they will arrange customs check-in and put you in direct contact with the fuel people. Pay the fuel truck driver direct with Maltese lira. There is an HSBC ATM down the street along the waterfront from the marina to pump for lira. After your Malta tour it is back to Syracuse, and then off to either Croatia or the Greek Ionian Islands. TIP: This is important! Do not arrive in the Aegean Greek islands before September 1. They’re notorious for fierce winds during July and August. Enjoy these islands in September and early October as the Egret crew did.
Let’s talk Turkey Arrive in Turkey by October 15 for your winter stay. Turkey is a multinational thumbs-up destination for virtually every long-distance cruiser. You will love it. The wintering cruisers will keep you as busy as you want to be during your stay, and antiquities are everywhere to be found on your inland travels. As for any concerns that Americans might encounter hostility in a country that is predominantly Muslim, not to worry. The people are very friendly, which is why Turkey is a favorite of cruisers from all over the world. TIP: Turkey is impossible to ship parts into, so bring as much as you can with you. We lugged 350 pounds from the States through the nothing-to-declare line in Istanbul without a problem. No other cruisers we encountered had difficulties either. When arriving/departing Istanbul, every cruiser’s favorite hotel is the Side
Site See CRUISING GUIDES • Imray Guides www.imray.com • DK Guides www.dk.com • Bluewater Books & Charts www.bluewaterweb.com/ cruisingguides/default.asp MARINAS • Marina Port Vell Barcelona, Spain www.marinaportvell.com • Grand Harbour Marina Malta www.cnmarinas.com/?id=1&parent=1 • Netsel Marina Marmaris, Turkey www.netselmarina.com/ index_eng.htm • Marmaris Yacht Marina Marmaris, Turkey www.yachtmarin.com/en/ • Marti Marina Marmaris, Turkey www.martimarina.com • Sky Marine Bodrum, Turkey www.sky-marine.com/?Sayfa=Location WEATHER • Ocens—WeatherNet www.ocens.com/wxnet.htm • NAVTEX www.gmdss.com.au/navtex.htm E-MAIL • Ocens—Mail www.ocens.com/mail.htm ELECTRONIC CHARTING • C-Map www.c-map.com • MaxSea Marine Software www.maxsea.com HOTELS • The Side Hotel and Pension Istanbul, Turkey www.sidehotel.com
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